Oh wow....

Do I owe the biggest update with all that has been going on. That will have to wait....

Few quick updates:

Habitat for Humanity dates to come:
January 8th, 9th, 10th
Stony Brook Build :D

Lucky Ladybug Project:
Completed: 25 <---yes I'm a quarter of the way there!!!!!
Sold: 23

More details coming up!

A little bit of help, a lotta hope

Have you ever done something that seems helpful but silly at the same time, and then have other people's reactions just blow you away?

That seriously happened to me this week. I have completed 10 ladybugs now, and from those 10 I've now sold 8. I walked into the day care center where I work and people just LOVED them, it was so cool. Before that I just thought I was doing something silly for a good cause but now I know that people actually care, and that's a great feeling.

When I told people where the money was going (PECK program, Syracuse University) they suddenly started asking questions about how it worked, how I was helping, and were just so generous in helping out. Really I still can not believe the reactions I've been getting from people.

I think people forget how good it feels when other people want to help you make a difference, it just makes it into a whole different experience. That little bit of help, creates a lot of hope for great success. Just goes to show there really are amazing people in this world.

Keep dreaming everyone!

Lucky Ladybug Project:

Goal: 100 ladybugs
Made: 10
Sold: 8

An Update

Hi all!

So I'm continued working on my Lucky Ladybugs Project and have successfully made 9 dolls, and am almost done with number 10. I personally can not believe how long it takes to finish one of these dolls, I choose them because I thought they would be quick, easy, and affordable. While being easy and adorable they are not so quick. Goes to show that not everything works according to plan. Still working on them though!

Goal: 100 ladybugs
Made: 9
Sold: 4

In other news I've decided to start looking for more volunteer opportunities. I've spent the last year with VIBES assisting victims of rape, sexual assault and domestic violence get immediate companionship and information when they arrive in a hospital after whatever event lead them there. Sticking with this theme I've decided to (hopefully) help out at SCCDAV. (Suffolk County Coalition against Domestic Violence) They have a lot of great services there from counseling, to a safety shelter, hot line, and free attorney. It's nice to know that there is always help out there when help is needed. Now we need more ways to make sure the people who need the information get that information.

If you would like more information on either of these organizations go to:

http://www.vibs.org/
and
http://www.sccadv.org/

Also, for anyone interested there is an organization called FEGS (http://www.fegs.org/) that is looking for movie baskets to put a smile on underprivileged families faces. A movie, some popcorn, and one or two candy packages would be a great help.

Keep Dreaming! Later guys!

Lucky Ladybug Project

During my spring semester a group of people had come into my classroom asking for pens to donate to a group called PECK. PECK gathers these pens to give to students in Kenya, as in Kenya a child can not attend school unless they bring a pen for the day. The members of PECK make a trip every year and every other year they bring supplies for the students they visit.

I’ve decided to lend a helping hand by creating a new fundraiser. As stated above I’m calling it my Lucky Ladybug Project. I’m crocheting one hundred ladybugs to be sold on Etsy.com to raise money to buy pens and notebooks for this group.

A few people have expressed interest in watching me “grow” as the “crazy little dreamer is at it again.” So I will update about fundraisers and any other community activities I do though out the year(s) in this blog.

Lucky Ladybug Project Plan

1. Crochet 35 ladybugs

2. Put the first 10 up on etsy to figure out shipping cost, how much goes to paypal, and etsy, etc., as well as creating a place in the forum to talk about projects like this one

3. Create the next 35 as the first 10-35 sell

4. See if local small shops will sell a few

5. Finish creating the remaining 30 ladybugs by whichever method works best and calculate how many notebooks and pens I can get with the money raised

To all those reading I remind you once again, that I am only one person, but one person can make a huge difference. I hope others will join me in this project but until that time I’ll keep working knowing I can make a difference in this world.

At this time, I’d like to give thanks to Joanna Masingila for giving me information that allowed me to set up this project for PECK.

Status:
Lucky Ladybugs Project
Building- 3% complete
Sold- 0% complete

Thanks for reading and keep on dreaming!

Habitat for Humanity

The very first non-for profit organization I had worked for was Habitat for Humanity. Habitat is an organization that raises the money and builds affordable housing for people who would not be able to afford a place to live otherwise. What happens is that other people help to fundraise the money to pay for the supplies for the house and then volunteers come in to actually build the house. They teach you how to do whatever part of the job you are doing on the site, and all you have to do is come in rearing to go in comfortable cloths ready to work. It’s a lot of fun and one of the more hands on organizations out there!

After Katrina my school actually built a house in pieces to be shipped down to one of the areas which had been struck. Habitat for Humanity can be found all over the United States and all over the world!

Now after the disasters in China and Myanmar they are working on building teams to work on rebuilding homes over there as well.

If you would like more information you can go to:

http://www.habitat.org/

Thanks for reading! Take care everyone!

Dare to Dream

Have you ever dared to dream of a better world? Where people helped each other not for the sake of getting something out of it but just because they can? I know I have, and looking around me I’ve met people like this, who create organizations or do random jobs for the sheer purpose of helping another. Most of the time, these helpers are not paid much attention to, until you need them, and so people tend to forget they exist. They are still out there.

Over the last few years I’ve worked with a couple of non for profit organizations and helped to fundraise for them. I feel no matter what I do it is never enough to help, thus why I’m starting this blog.

I want to introduce to readers the amazing people who do jobs that they may normally not know exist, while suggesting ways people can help in case anyone is interested. Also, I would like to share what I have been doing to help out and hopefully find people who will join me in my own projects.

The only way to make a difference is to first have a goal or a dream to change the world for the better. So I dare anyone who reads this to dare to dream with me.